Threeleaf allophyllus
Allophylus cobbe

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A small tree which grows up to 3-5 m tall. It spreads 1-4 m across. The young shoots are covered with woolly hairs. The flush of new leaves are pinkish. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaflets are 5-10 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The leaves are oval and with coarse teeth around the edge. They are smooth on top and hairy underneath. The flower bunch have flowers around a common stalk. These are 5-10 cm long. The flowers are 0.2 cm across. The flowers are greenish. The fruit is a berry about 0.5 cm across. It is orange. It is a very variable plant.

There are 200 Allophyllus species. Some say there is just one widely variable species. The synonym list is shorter in The Plant List.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs in coastal places in the tropics in rainforests. It suits humid locations. Plants are very frost tender. Plants require a protected site in a well drained soil. It grows from sea level to 1,300 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Christmas Island, East Africa, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, North America, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Sarawak, SE Asia, South America, Sri Lanka, Timor, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are sour but are eaten.

It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed should be sown while fresh. They can also be grown by sections of the root.

Its other names

Local names

Amalai, Balaro, Bonbongan, Buah penancang, Dhonmoosa, Embuakat, Eravalu, Eruala, Gamperut, Ising, Kalasi, Kelampu, Kerimbau, Khondokoli, Mambahino, Mata kucing, Mukkanamperu, Naimaram, Pohon asa-asa, Rakhalphul, Sasah, Sidisale, Sisipen pelandok, Tipani, Titberry, Togaratti, Tukil-tukil, Zaung-gale

Synonyms

Allophyllus glaber (Roxb.) Radlk.; Allophyllus javensis (Blume) Blume; Allophyllus obliquus Radlk.; Allophyllus racemosus (L.) Radlk.; Allophyllus scandens Ridl.; Allophyllus sumatranus Blume; Allophyllus timorensis (DC.) Blume; Allophyllus ternatus (Forst.) Radlk.; Allophyllus zeylanicus L.; Usubis triphylla Burm. f. Aporetica ternata Forst. & Forst.; Allophyllus ternata Lour.; Rhus cobbe L.; Possibly Allophyllus fulinervis Blume; Schmidelia serrata DC.; and many others